This Brilliant Afghan War Photo Has Become A Meme

Our photo was picked up a
few days later and turned into a meme.via
YEMX

I got an email asking if this photo was one of mine.

Actually it isn't, but it was first published here in
a recent slideshow. The photographer is named Ken Jasik, a
Marine Combat Correspondent who was on patrol with me in Helmand,
Afghanistan.

"It was when we were walking back to [the combat outpost].
It was the last stop before we got back," Jasik told me. "Lamaire
says 'hey combat camera.' I look over he says "take my picture my
girlfriend will love this." then he strikes the pose."

"There was no way i could not take the photo, and i love
the meme."

Jasik is home now from Afghanistan, but, worth noting, the lens
he took this shot with didn't make it — a Taliban gunman put a
bullet in it during a particularly close call with Jasik
(fortunately, the Marines with Jasik returned the gunman's
favor).

Geoffrey Ingersoll — BI

The Marine in the photo is Cpl. Kyle Lamaire, and he embodied the
definition of "quiet professional." A cold blooded killer on the
battlefield, rocking a mustache quite out of regulation, he did
have a goofy streak in him, like many Marines I've known.

Dog tired and battle worn, Lamaire noticed the camera and threw
down this pose. We posted it, and the internet ran with it.